BIOPOLIS-CIBIO is partner in OneSTOP, an ambitious European project to tackle invasive alien species
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Researchers from the InvasionS group at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO attended the kick-off meeting at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy, from January 20-23. OneSTOP aims to enhance European biosecurity by promoting holistic approaches, breaking down silos, and engaging with communities to tackle invasive alien species.
Researchers from the InvasionS group at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO attended the kick-off meeting at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy, from January 20-23. OneSTOP aims to enhance European biosecurity by promoting holistic approaches, breaking down silos, and engaging with communities to tackle invasive alien species.
Last January, two ambitious multi-stakeholder projects - OneSTOP and GuardIAS - were launched in a joint kick-off meeting to tackle the growing threat of invasive alien species. Focusing on terrestrial and aquatic environments, respectively, these projects will work in tandem to mitigate the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on endangered species, natural sites, and human health, providing comprehensive coverage of Europe’s ecosystems.
OneSTOP and GuardIAS will integrate advanced scientific methodologies, cutting-edge technologies, and community engagement to increase the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of tools that facilitate the prevention, detection, prioritization, and management of invasive alien species. A key aspect of both projects is public engagement and broader community involvement to build support and encourage action for the management of invasive alien species. This will be achieved through citizen science initiatives, outreach and art events, and the development of interactive games. Additionally, the projects will co-develop an Invasive Alien Species Alert System, complementing the European Union’s efforts for an official reporting system and the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN).
The InvasionS team at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO is contributing to the OneSTOP project by developing a species prioritization system and establishing a Living Laboratory for experimentation and engagement with key local stakeholders involved in the management of invasive alien species.
The team's participation in this project aligns with BIOPOLIS’s strategic research priorities, specifically its objectives for "Biological Invasions” within "Thematic Line 3 – Sustainability, Ecosystems & Environment”. By contributing to better understand and manage the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystems, this project supports BIOPOLIS’s broader mission of developing practical solutions for sustainable management.